- FAITTA Chairman Paras Desai leads humanitarian outreach to flood-ravaged communities
- Tea trade apex body contributes ₹81.36 lakh to Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund
- Tea fraternity rallies across regions, appeals to associations to deepen relief support
- Delegation meets Himanta Biswa Sarma, reaffirms industry’s solidarity in hour of crisis
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, AUG 17
When Assam’s floodwaters rise, the nation’s tea fraternity has chosen to respond with a gesture that goes beyond business — extending a helping hand to families battling one of the State’s gravest natural calamities. In a powerful expression of solidarity, the Federation of All India Tea Traders’ Association (FAITTA), led by its Chairman Paras Desai, has contributed ₹81.36 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for relief and support to flood-affected communities in Assam.
The humanitarian initiative brings together the country’s tea trade in support of the people of a State whose identity is inseparably woven into India’s rich tea heritage. FAITTA has also appealed to regional tea associations to contribute to the relief effort, seeking to turn the industry’s collective concern into meaningful assistance on the ground.
A FAITTA delegation led by Desai met Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday and discussed key issues concerning the tea trade and industry. The meeting also became an occasion to convey the tea fraternity’s solidarity with families and communities affected by the floods.
‘Stand with Assam in its hour of need’
Speaking on the occasion, Desai, Chairman, FAITTA and Executive Director, Wagh Bakri Tea Group, said: “Assam is an integral part of India’s rich tea heritage, and its tea-growing communities have made an immense contribution to the country’s tea industry. When communities face a crisis of this magnitude, it is important for the tea fraternity to come together and extend support in whatever way possible.”
Desai added: “Our contribution to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a humble effort to stand with the people of Assam during this difficult time. We hope it provides some meaningful assistance to the affected families and communities and conveys our solidarity with them.”
The Chief Minister appreciated FAITTA’s contribution to the relief fund and acknowledged the association’s spirit of solidarity with the people of Assam.
Tea trade turns compassion into collective action
The contribution assumes wider significance as FAITTA represents the country’s tea-trade ecosystem, bringing together tea traders’ associations, growers, traders, packagers, brokers, wholesalers and retailers.
The association works towards strengthening the tea trade through greater transparency, responsible business practices and compliance with food-safety standards. Its appeal to regional tea associations to join the relief initiative seeks to mobilise stakeholders across this extensive value chain for a humanitarian cause.
Industry unites beyond commerce
The initiative reflects the tea fraternity’s commitment to community welfare and responsible citizenship, particularly when natural calamities leave families and livelihoods vulnerable.
For Assam, where millions of lives and livelihoods are closely connected with the tea economy, the outreach carries a special resonance. FAITTA’s intervention seeks to reinforce the message that the tea industry’s relationship with Assam extends beyond commerce — to the people and communities who have helped shape India’s global tea identity.
The ₹81.36-lakh contribution, coupled with the appeal for wider participation, thus represents more than financial assistance: it is a collective expression of solidarity from India’s tea fraternity to Assam in its hour of need.
